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Ryland Grace was having a good morning. He liked to think that at least! He'd managed to drink his coffee in the comfort of his own home, had ample clothes to pick from since he had finally tackled his long abandoned laundry basket the day before, and even woke up feeling well rested for once!
Which… would most likely be a concern for most people, but not for him!
Anyways, that's all to say that Ryland Grace was having a good day. Over the weekend he'd gotten through his student's study guides once and for all, and was prepared to hand them back. It was the first semester exam season all ready, winter steadily on the horizon. He and his students were anxious to get through it all already and head off to winter break free of responsibilities, but they just needed that little push.
So, for the hour he had his classes before proctoring exams he'd let them go over study guides. And maybe a kahoot too, the students sort of went a bit feral over them for some reason above his knowledge, but it made them attentive so he took what he could get!
He piled up all the stacks of paper into the usual accordion folder, a nice one that sealed entirely and even came with a bag so that he was absolutely sure it would stay dry when he biked in the rain. It was a little extra, but all his students always worked so hard on their assignments that it was worth it to keep them safe.
The path he took away from his apartment complex each morning was empty. It was always empty other than the occasional late night/ early morning jogger, hardly a car passing through. It was a little off the beaten path and lacked good sidewalks, but he felt confident driving through here like he had done hundreds of times before due to the lack of traffic.
Were people a little concerned he'd get kidnapped or stabbed? It had been voiced on occasion to him, yes, but Ryland had decided he was a firm believer in the fact doing anything to some poor, underpaid teacher would just be bad karma.
Not that he firmly believed in karma, but the point stood anyhow!
Ryland pedaled on the empty streets as he always did, letting his mind wander. It was a rather mild winter for San Francisco this year, which he took in stride. Just an extra sweater was all he had proved to need thus far, no gloves or scarves to get rid of the biting cold!
Truly, a nice day all around.
Which is why when he suddenly felt a collision with his back, sending him forward before pulling him back and flying, he wasn't too surprised. It wasn't often that Ryland had nice things and his fate continued to go down that same path.
He got a view of the pavement below him for a moment, blurry and rapidly approaching. Then it was the sweet release of nothingness. Like this, face down in the pavement of some lonely back road Ryland had no concerns in life, mostly because he couldn't think!
Ah… His poor students wouldn't be able to study well before their first exam. The thought bugged him, pressing into his joints like a nagging nightmare. He should get up, get out of this empty void and go to school, but his body was unmoving.
He wasn't dead either though, considering the whirlwind of his thoughts.
A strange limbo between consciousness and unconsciousness, he decided. Maybe akin to blacking out after a long night of drinking. He hadn't experienced that since college but the headache was there, as well as pressure in his shoulders.
He felt the air around him get lighter and he struggled to regain sensation properly. He could see the light, but it wasn't truly clear. He was breathing a little easier and the pressure was off of his shoulders and apparently neck. Things shifted, warm and sticky, but in an uncomfortable humid sort of way. Like waking up in the middle of the night during a heat wave with a fever.
It was unpleasant, to say the least. Tolerable, but it was not comfortable to stay it.
His body was being shaken a little, like he was being jolted awake. He couldn't open his eyes though. His finger's barely twitched no matter how much he had wanted them to move, how often his brain sent the sparks into his nerves that they should be moving.
A sharp feeling across his cheek brought him back though.
The first thing he had decided is that the world was too bright, annoyingly bright. The sun hadn't even fully risen in they sky and he had a headache, annoyed by the one thing that kept him and this entire planet alive.
The next thing on his mind was pain. He had gone through the soft but uncomfortable nature of unconsciousness to suddenly back to being aware of every fiber of his being. Did all of his joints usually hurt this much? Had he gotten used to that until having what he could only describe as out of body experience that slammed him right back into it.
He let out a little groan as he woke up, feeling like he'd been hit by a car…. Oh. That is what happened wasn't it? Ryland stared up at the sky and the figure before him, blinking forcefully a few times. He had his head in someone's lap, that much was clear. There was a white quilted coat taking up most the area, other then the face of a young man. Older than his students by far, but also younger than him, maybe late twenties.
The man's brow furrowed a little and it looked like he had mouthed something. Suddenly it was like Ryland realized that everything was ringing, and ringing far too loudly.
What, is all Ryland had wanted to say. It felt like his soul was struggling to come back to him, like it had seen freedom for just a moment and decided that was that. The man above him raised his brows though, looking even more concerned. So, obviously Ryland's what was lost to his vocal cords.
Ryland needed to tell this poor guy he was okay. What was it Colt did after those stunts? Thumbs up. That's what he needed to do. He carefully curled his fingers up tight and extended his thumb, nodding his head slightly.
"I'mmmm Gud."
A bit more slurred then Ryland's professional heart would have wanted, but it got the point across. The man above him fiddled with the toothpick in his mouth and Ryland felt his eyes lock onto it. He didnt know why but it was like waving a toy in front of a cat, hyper intense focus that didnt mean anything after a few minutes.
Possible concussion then. Ryland… Had one before he thinks, but the only thing he ever remembered that was out of place was spending an hour in the doctor's waiting room staring at a plant. It was like suddenly his brain was clear and the hyper-focus was all he could do, but only in way that were utterly useless.
Ryland let out a little hup as he forced himself to sit up. His head was spinning and he couldn't help but shake out his limbs, reminding himself they existed and he could control them. He shifted his fingers one by one after the other, clenching and unclenching his fist. Ryland couldn't help but assume that was good, nodding to himself.
There were words muttered behind him and a screech of metal, but Ryland was far more focused on his hands. Did they always look like that? Were his fingernails always so obviously bitten and unkempt? His head was ringing a little bit but his ears picked up on 'want' and 'medic'.
Do I want a medic?
Ryland looked up at the wall of a random building before him, like it had all the answers to the universe. He was a doctor, yes, but not for the human body. Maybe he should go to the hospital, but he hated that sterilized smell.
Teacher. He was a teacher now! The school nurse could look at him!
"I have a nurse." Ryland bit out, his tongue feeling heavy. He might have stuttered a little, old traits that he could never quite get rid of no matter how much speech therapy he took. Still, if he wanted to get to school for the nurse and to help his kids study then he'd have to get up.
Ryland slapped his hands down on his knees, the clap getting his attention. He pulled his torso back before swinging it forward, the momentum helping him get up. He felt like dry-heaving as soon as he was standing though, a small gag coming to his throat. He stood bent over for a moment, staring at the swimming ground before it decided to finally be normal again.
"You don't seem old enough to have a personal nurse." The young man said, suddenly closer. Ryland raised his head and looked at the man, a small laugh sputtering between his lips. As he smiled over the joke Ryland cringed, his cheek flaring in pain and his skin feeling tight. Still, he turned around and leaned in, patting the man's shoulder a little firmer than intended.
"That… that was good." Ryland hummed his approval, looking at the younger man. It was a little shaky as he struggled with the fine motor movements, but his body was slowly getting used to being controlled again.
Ryland stared into icy blue eyes for a second, something tugging at the back of his mind. He just helplessly stared at the man for a second before it clicked and he shook his head as he tried to straighten up.
"You're very nice to stop and help me." Ryland thanked the man, a smile like grimace on his face. He can't think of many people who would stop to help a cyclist, because most people always had places to be in a city like this. The young man fiddled with his toothpick and Ryland had to keep his eyes up, lest it look like he was some weirdo who couldn't keep his eyes off strangers lips.
Well, Ryland Grace was a weirdo, just not that type… Maybe.
The man nodded his head and turned away. Ryland had gone and made things awkward and his thoughts spiraled to think of a way to fix this before a quiet "Anybody worth their shit would." filled the air.
Swearing, not good, but this wasn't one of Ryland's kids.
Ryland stumbled away from the man, a pleasant daze in his mind. He missed his kids- students, they were his students, and was excited for the school day to come… THE SCHOOL DAY! Ryland's mind struggled along as he tried to think, looking around. He could see things, very sure of that, but he struggled to make the connection of what he needed.
There was his bike at least. One thing at a time then, he decided as he walked over. The wheel was badly bent and when he spun it with its foot it slowly rounded to the same position. There would be no way to ride on it like that, but the main frame was slightly bent too. The scratches weren't an issue to him though, but the main function of the bike had been taken away in the accident.
"That's not good…" The words tumbled out his lips unexpectedly and he pressed them shut. Had he been mumbling to himself the whole time? Ryland didnt know but his brows furrowed a little more. No bike to get to school, okay, but he still had to be there with-
WITH THE STUDY GUIDES!
"Oh!" Ryland jolted upright to stand again, ignoring the pain behind his eyes and in his temple. He looked around quickly before clumsily spinning on his foot. There was the nice man, still here it seemed. He felt warmth that was on his back peel away, the man's hand having been there momentarily. He was holding out the papers in his folder, the poor thing torn open and the plastic not in the best shape.
He had paid good money for that folder…
The papers were at least in one shape it seemed, though a few were torn or scratched up. He swiped at debris and rocks that lingered on what was once pristine white sheets, biting the inside of his cheek. They were in tact and legible, and he was sure no middle schooler would hound him for the condition they were in. It was fine, he was okay, well. Not okay, he was hit by a car, but he would manage.
Suddenly he felt his face being tilted back. He blinked in surprise and tried to make an expression, but suddenly that pain in his cheek was back. The man before him stood there with knitted brows, eyes dark as if trying to figure out what was going on.
"I needed to give these back for the exam today- WAIT I'm proctoring!" Ryland gasped at the end of his explanation. He kept having the same realization over and over, panicking and calming down when the thoughts left his head. He spun around to try and find his glasses, knowing he would have to rush. This was not good, was the mantra he repeated over and over in his head, trying to remind himself he had places to be that were not La La Land!
He quickly bundled up his folder together quickly with unsteady hands. The elastic was snapped on one side but it could work just enough for the journey ahead. Ryland couldn't tell what he was or wasn't saying as he stumbled forward. The clatter of plastic on asphalt met his ears and he looked down at his helmet, cracked almost in two on the ground.
Ah, no wonder it felt so breezy. Ryland didn't exactly trust himself to pick it up and be able to not go toppling over, so he stood on one foot. He used the other to hook into the strap, swinging his foot back and forth before it went up into the air. "You know I'm always telling my kids to wear these things. And they always shrug me off! I will now be living proof for them that they need to be wearing their helmets."
Ryland was sort of satisfied that at least one thing could come out of this as a life lesson. Yea, it sucked being hit by a car that he didn't know where it went, but the person probably didnt have insurance or something to cover it!
Which… was illegal in California, BUT so was a hit and run, both crimes, maybe not equally bad but Ryland was fineee.
Ryland suddenly felt himself shifting into gear more at he thought. There wasn't any other cars around but this young man was strangely helpful. He squinted a little bit, ignoring the pain in his temple as he looked around.
Suddenly the man stepped in front of him, holding up a pair of glasses. Ryland's brow raised in recognition, trying not to cringe at the condition. They'd work, they'd have to, he was just happy they hadn't snapped to be entirely unusable.
He went to try and pick them up out of the man's hands but realized his arms were full. Before he could properly pin his folder under his arm and hold onto the helmet the young man slid them onto his nose and ears, very very carefully.
Definitely too polite.
"O-h! There we go." Ryland blinked a few times to readjust, smiling to the man before remembering his cheek. That was totally injured, but he didn't know if he had the guts to look at it yet. "Thank you…"
Ryland purposefully gave a long, hard stare at the young man. The overly helpful to the point even Ryland got suspicious young man. All he'd need is this guys name and he could decide how much of a problem it will be, which wouldn't be big but there had to be something-
"Driver."
Well, there went that thought! Ryland took in a breath as he tried to remain polite, properly holding out his hand this time. The man hesitated for a moment before holding up a gloved hand. Ryland hummed as their hands met, making sure to shake it extra firmly.
"Ryland Grace. Thank you for the assistance, again, that was nice of you." Ryland said, trying to remain his politeness. He could be the bigger person, he usually was the bigger person except when he needed to not be, this was fine, this was greatttt.
Driver, apparently, was rather stiff to talk to, a little awkward. He shrugged his shoulders and just nodded along, fumbling with his toothpick. He shifted back and forth a little and Ryland couldn't help but be rather satisfied with the fact, before realizing the poor kid was probably panicking more than Ryland ever had in this whole situation.
"Let me take you to school." Driver tilted back his head as he made the offer, tensing out his shoulders.
Okay… Maybe he was a bit too nice, but it was for atonement sake. An olive branch of sorts to try and keep Ryland reasonable. He could do that, he decided quickly, especially because he couldn't stand to be late.
"That… would be lovely." Ryland said carefully, nodding along. He was going to be polite, he was good at that nowadays. He smiled at Driver and the man seemed to shiver, before turning away. Driver jerked his chin towards the car, some nice looking older blue thing that Ryland had no clue what it could be.
Ryland had to go in it now. His stomach churned a little at the thought, cars usually making him nauseous in the first place. And he'd be in a stranger's nice one, hopefully not getting his blood over the leather seats. Ryland forced himself to go forward, firmly planting one foot on the ground after the other.
As he rounded to the passenger side he spotted scratches on the roof of the car. That was very much clear evidence of what had occurred, the exact shade of red from his bike tangible evidence.
Not that Ryland would do anything with it… Ryland tried to shake out the tension as he climbed into the car, biting his lip. He was being a little unfair to the man, a bit too strict of what was just an accident. Maybe his concussion was messing with his head more than he thought, fumbling with his emotions and trying to fan the flames.
He heard the trunk slam shut and he stiffened his shoulders again. Driver rounded the car and sat inside with ease, his arm tensing as he closed the door. His hands flexed in their gloves for a second, forcing Ryland to turn his head away. Outside in the side mirror he could finally see his face, a bad of road rash. It covered his temple down to his cheek, dried crusted blood dripping down to his chin.
A container of tissues with a soft 'here' was now in his gaze and Ryland sighed. He patted at the road rash and cringed a little at the pain. The wound was raw and tacky, making him shiver in disgust. Suddenly a grunt brought his attention back and Driver was leaning in. Ryland's breath hitched for a moment before he felt the cool feeling of the wet tissue on his face, mopping up the blood. He decided to just close his eyes and let it be, letting the younger man tilt his chin around to take care of the problem.
Driver scrubbed away the blood that was dotting Ryland's chin, but his motions on his cheek were softer. It was clear he knew how to take care of these kinds of things so Ryland couldn't help but let it happen, even if it was embarrassing. "I could've handled it."
The man agreed with a grunt, giving Ryland another look over. It was a gentle precursor, eyes focused to make sure nothing was missed. It was like he was used to looking at small details, a smart man then. It took him a moment before he shifted properly into place, rolling his shoulders back. "But you shouldn't get blood on your hands."
Ryland couldn't help but hum at the words, nodding along with them. His students were probably wound up already, their exams a large stressor and hopefully excitement for the soon to start break. He didn't need to go around with blood everywhere, though he cringed at the sanitation aspect of it as well.
"Ah, yea, wouldn't be a good look for a teacher." Ryland finally settled on, earning a soft grunt. Driver was rather awkward it seemed, and he fiddled with the toothpick in his mouth option. A thing to calm his nerves, or maybe to keep focus, Ryland couldn't decide which. Driver strapped himself into the seat of the car, adjusting the gloves before grabbing the steering wheel.
"Where do you work?" Driver all but gritted out as he turned the key in the ignition. The car practically purred to life, sporting an unassumingly nice engine. Ryland could recognize that on sound alone, random days spent on action sets or the occasional drift into places he shouldn't have been during his time at university.
Where he worked….
Ryland felt like his brain was now blank as he thought about the question. He was a middle school teacher, yes, but where. Pain blossomed behind his eyes and he shifted around, padding at his person. Eventually he felt a thin piece of hard plastic pressing against his abdomen and he brought a hand to his neck, tugging his lanyard out.
"Grover Cleveland Junior High." The words left his lips with ease, like he'd been easily soothed. That's where he belonged, his headache going away as things felt a little clearer. It wasn't gone, not by a long shot, but the pulsating feeling of it about to split just from struggling with his own memories was easing away just enough. "Thank you, again, really. I doubt people would be as nice as to offer a ride."
Driver froze a little at that, hands tightening on the wheel. Ryland could see the man tense, working his jaw back and forth before relaxing. Guilty, is the best way Ryland could describe the younger man, and it made his gums itch a little.
The poor guy really did feel bad about hitting him with the car! He was just awkward and didn't know what to do!
Ryland's expression softened a little, feeling pity for Driver. He was sure his brother wouldn't be letting him go so easily but Ryland was a bigger person then that. The man had guilt, and obviously tried to atone, but it was sloppy like he was poorly socialized.
It reminded him of a student that Ryland had a few semesters back. A fundamentally good kid, but they were just in the wrong place at the wrong time sometimes.
"Its what I do." Driver finally broke their silence and Ryland perked up. He didn't act that strangely to the compliment, merely reflecting just like Ryland himself would do. The teacher couldn't help the gentle smile that graced his lips, before watching the man jolt as he slammed down on the gas pedal.
Oooooh kay.
He knew that this car had a nice engine in it, but he hadn't expected that much acceleration. Ryland held onto his folder a little tighter, a shaky breath leaving his lips. His stomach churned and suddenly he was back in a car with Colt, the miles per hour far slower than his own beats for second.
At least Driver seemed to notice Ryland's response. He sighed softly as the car slowed down to a more reasonable pace, flexing his fingers nervously. Could Ryland tolerate being in a fast car? Maybe. But not when he was concussed and his brain already struggled to remember proper social etiquette that included NOT screaming like a coward.
Though he was never really any good at that anyways.
"You- uh… Like driving fast?" Is all Ryland managed to come up with in the moment, teeth sinking into his bottom lip. Driver nodded politely, eyes focused on the road. They were icy and intimidating, but Ryland shivered as he decided to go on with talking.
"Ah, yea my brother is the same. He does stunts and whenever they get him in a good car like this he always pushes the poor thing to its limits. He's the kind of guy who if you'd let him he'd do dumb stuff like street racing. At least when its early and empty like this you don't really run the risk of much." Ryland went to the first thing he thought about after driving fast, which was of course his brother. He didn't really know why he was saying this, but the silence between them was suffocating.
At least Driver inclined his head with a swift glance at Ryland, like he wanted to know more.
"Me?" Ryland cringed a little, shifting in his seat. "Ah, no, no way. I don't have a bike just for the fresh air. I mean… I have a license, I kinda can, but I'm really scared of it. My hands shake as soon as I feel the steering wheel in my palms. I'm not calm and cool like guys like you, too much in my head at once."
He had to cut himself off at this point, lips pressed into a thin line. He was not supposed to think of the guy who hit him with a car as cool but he also didn't want to get into the why of why he refused to drive.
It wasn't entirely about money after all. San Francisco was expensive, yes, but even Ryland had his luxuries from time to time. Colt had even offered nice things here and there after his break, including a used car. Ryland had declined it instantly and that had cut that conversation short to never be mentioned again.
Ryland needed a distraction away from that trail of thoughts.
Instead he started to ramble about his students, the few days ahead, the break. Anything his brain swam into his mouth went along with. He talked about the time he befriended a friendly street cat on that corner until some nice man had adopted it. Or the grocery store nearby that once had a fifteen cent deal on pasta so now Ryland had a whole shelf dedicated to it even though he really didn't cook.
And Driver just… Listened. He made no motion to silence Ryland, occasionally grunting or nodding to show he was paying attention. It was kind of nice that he had all ears on him, despite being in that scenario often as a teacher. It was different with adults, and Driver wasn't disgruntled by it at all.
It was surprisingly nice.
Ryland felt himself smile as they pulled into the corner after the school's sign. As the went down the driveway of the school he could see students clambering out of their parents cars or walking down the sidewalk. A normal, peaceful day, something he'd come to expect working at Grover Cleveland school. They got closer to the entrance and Ryland stiffened up, trying to get himself back into the swing of things. He was a teacher, focused, reasonable, and he had to show that side to his students and colleagues.
The car halted and Ryland flashed one more thankful smile, just for good measure. Driver looked at him for a moment, watching with those careful eyes as he grabbed his things.
"Let me." Driver grunted softly, leaning over Ryland. He reached out to open up the door and shoved it open with a single tilt of his hand, surprisingly easy. Ryland hummed in delight at the man's manners, swinging his feet out of the car and stepping out. "Hey."
Driver had called for him just as Ryland started to pull away, making him halt. He turned to look at the young man over his shoulder before coming back closer, leaning into the window. Driver fumbled around for a second, hand disappearing into his jacket before pulling out a small white card.
"Give me a call when you're done."
Firm, direct. The man had a very blunt way of speaking, but it made Ryland smile anyways. It was like he was trying to take responsibility, but didn't quite know how to do it without taking full control.
Still, somewhat sweet despite the circumstances. Ryland leaned closer and fumbled as he tried to free up his hand to take the card. Driver noticed his struggle and leaned in too, slipping the card into the teacher's sweater collar. Ryland could feel the slight brush of the man's gloved hand as he pulled away, a quick movement right on his throat.
"I work in a shop. I'll try and get your bike fixed up. If it is I'll drive you home and drop it off, if not I'll get you tomorrow too." Was what Driver added, seemingly needing to explain himself. A personal driver for a day or two? He wanted to reject, that small part of him that reigned him into being humble. Ryland pursed his lip at the reminder he had been bit by Driver's car though. Well that would settle it then, he wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth, and he nodded.
Ryland leaned back and squeezed his folder a little tighter, feeling a smile cross his face. It hurt, sure, to smile so widely, but he couldn't help but admire the man's efforts. He could've left Ryland in the street, he could've just made sure he didn't die, but here Driver was offering his time and expertise, and who could reject such a nice offer from an honest young man?
"Thank you." Ryland hummed, looking down at Driver. "I'll be owing you some dinner then." Driver seemingly flushed in surprise, quickly looking away. He nodded along so timidly Ryland almost felt bad, but a small chuckle left his throat anyways.
And so he turned and left. Despite the ache behind his eyes from the morning sun and the tenseness in his muscles he was okay. He was at to school on time without too much exhaustion, and had even had some decent company.
He felt… content. Things could've ended a lot worse but they had quite the satisfying outcome in the end.
Ryland sighed softly and turned around, seeing that light blue car still there. Driver was leaned forward, his jaw a little tense as if he'd been caught. Instead of shying away Driver raised his hand, just under his windshield, awkwardly waving it to him. The teacher let out a soft hum to himself and raised his hand, offering a little wave back.
He heard a sharp gasp as he stood on the stairs to the school, pausing. He turned to look down at Claire, one of his first period student's who had shock all over her face. "Dr. Grace?! Did you get hit by a car?!"
Ah. Yea, he had.
Ryland just held up his broken helmet in response, dangling it from his finger. "Yep, and that is why you always should be wearing one of these. Now come on, get inside, stop gawking." He patted Claire's shoulder to show he was alright, turning into the building.